R&D Laboratory Lead

WD-40 Company; New Jersey; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401K match

Short-day Fridays

Job summary

WD-40 Company is seeking a hands-on leader to run the Global Research & Development Laboratory in Pine Brook, NJ. You will guide a small team, conduct experiments, and solve technical challenges while ensuring safety and lab operations.

Responsibilities include evaluating testing requests, executing research projects, and developing new test methodologies. This role requires strong collaboration across global teams and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/Materials Science/Physics or related field.
• 3+ years hands-on analytical/engineering lab experience with supervision.
• Proven ability to plan, execute, and document lab testing using the scientific method.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Global R&D Laboratory operations, safety, and compliance.
• Lead and develop a small team of scientists; prioritize workload.
• Evaluate testing requests and coordinate research projects within budget.
• Perform hands-on testing; analyze data; develop protocols.
• Identify and implement new test methodologies.
• Build relationships with external labs and vendors.
• Manage IP confidentiality and maintain lab notebooks.
• Monitor equipment; conduct preventive maintenance and troubleshooting.

Skills

Lab leadership

Hands-on testing

Scientific method

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree (Chemistry/Materials Science/Physics)

Master's degree preferred

Job description

In this dynamic, hands-on leadership role, you’ll lead the WD-40 Company Global Research & Development Laboratory while working alongside your team to conduct testing, run experiments, and solve technical challenges.

You’ll oversee lab operations and safety, lead and develop a small team of scientists, evaluate testing requests, conduct experiments, and troubleshoot lab equipment. You’ll also apply your scientific expertise to develop novel solutions and new test methodologies. If you enjoy leading people while staying actively engaged in the science, this could be the opportunity for you!

This role is based onsite at our Technical Center located in Pine Brook, NJ (onsite 5 days/week, Monday through Friday). Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. and should not require visa sponsorship now or in the future.

What You’ll Be Doing

Laboratory Operations and Safety: Leads the operation of the Global R&D laboratory, ensuring the facility operates in full compliance with appropriate safety regulations, equipment care, and efficient management of simultaneous experiments.

Leadership: Trains R&D Lab Scientists on established procedures, equipment maintenance, and safety protocols. Prioritizes team workload and works alongside the team in the laboratory, performing hands-on testing and experimental activities.

Project Evaluation & Execution: Evaluates testing requests and provides advice and guidance on testing perimeters. Plans, communicates, and executes research projects, coordinating internal and external parties to ensure timely completion within budget constraints.

Testing and Data Analysis: Personally performs hands-on laboratory testing and experiments as an integral part of the role, while managing product testing needs for Global R&D and ensuring compliance with testing protocols. Collates and analyzes data, documents test methods and outcomes, and develops testing and research protocols in accordance with established R&D guidelines.

Test Methodology and Innovation: Identifies, designs, and implements new test methodologies using scientific principles. Contributes ideas for improving R&D methods and processes.

External Partner Relationships: Build and maintains strong relationships with external labs and vendors. Communicates clearly and monitors progress to ensure performance aligns with company goals and timelines.

Intellectual Property Management: Takes all necessary actions to ensure intellectual property is established and protectable. This includes controlling information access, keeping confidentiality, properly maintaining laboratory notebooks, etc.

Equipment Troubleshooting and Maintenance: Regularly monitors equipment, carries out preventive maintenance, and troubleshoots lab equipment to maintain optimal performance and minimize downtime.

What You’ll Bring To The Role

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical field. Master's degree is highly preferred.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in an analytical, research, or engineering laboratory, with experience leading or supervising others.
• Demonstrated experience applying the scientific method to independently plan, execute, analyze, and document laboratory testing and experiments.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to lead a small team and work effectively across cross-functional and global teams.

Total Rewards

$75000 – $95000 /year base salary plus 10% - 15% profit-sharing contribution to your retirement account. Salary is determined by multiple factors including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications, and alignment with market data.

• Medical insurance, 80-95% company-paid premium
• Dental and vision insurance
• 401K match
• Short-day Fridays

At WD-40 Company, we believe that purpose-driven, passionate people guided by our values create amazing outcomes. Our "why" is refreshingly simple - we exist to create positive lasting memories in everything we do.

Why You Should Apply

• A strong values-aligned organization where contributions are acknowledged and rewarded, and where 91% of our employees experience a sense of belonging.
• A learning-based culture where 77% of our team believe they can achieve their career objectives.
• Over 95% employee engagement as of our most recent global employee survey.
• 91% of our people actively recommend WD-40 Company as a great place to work.

Please, only consider employment with WD-40 Company if you feel as strongly about our values as we do: We live, breathe, and play by our valuesevery day.

Thank you for considering WD-40 Company in your career search!

#PositiveLastingMemories

At WD-40 Company we foster a culture of inclusion where all individuals are recognized, valued, respected, and experience a sense of belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to individual characteristics that make us unique such as our backgrounds, experiences, qualities, talents, traits, beliefs, and preferences.